Lucky 7’s: Running for a Cause with St. Francis House

By: Greg Koch
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605 Running Company is gearing up for the Lucky 7’s presented by First National Bank in Sioux Falls on March 15th—and we couldn’t be more excited! This event is an incredible way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Downtown Sioux Falls, bringing our community together for a morning of movement, fun, and most importantly, giving back.

Lucky 7’s is a series of three races throughout the morning: 5-mile, 5k, and the exciting 1-mile race that starts the official holiday parade!

We’re proud to partner with the St. Patrick’s Day Extravaganza organization to raise funds through fun for St. Francis House, a cause that’s very close to my heart. My family and our businesses have long supported the mission of St. Francis House, and I recently had the opportunity to connect with Julie Becker, CEO of St. Francis House, to talk about the amazing work they do.

Meet St. Francis House: Moving People from Homelessness to Hope
For over 21 years, Julie Becker has been leading St. Francis House, an organization dedicated to helping individuals transition from homelessness to stability. Their motto? Moving people from homelessness to hope.

Through our Lucky 7’s Race, we have the opportunity to directly support this mission. The funds raised go toward providing essential meals to their guests—everything from luncheon meat for sack lunches to eggs for breakfast burritos and French toast. It’s about more than just food; it’s about restoring dignity, providing nourishment, and helping guests build a better future.

Why Your Support Matters
Every step our runners take helps fuel this mission. St. Francis House provides guests with three nutritious meals per day, ensuring they receive the protein, fruits, and vegetables they need to regain their health. Many arrive undernourished, and this support is life-changing.

Beyond meals, St. Francis House helps individuals find employment, pay off debts, and even obtain trade certifications like welding through SETI. The success stories are endless—from guests achieving financial independence to maintaining their sobriety and securing stable housing.

Breaking the Myths
One of the biggest misconceptions about St. Francis House is that its guests are criminals, unemployed, or not working toward their future. In reality, many of them are actively paying off debts, holding jobs, and working hard to rebuild their lives. The support from our community helps them do just that.

Join Us on Race Day!
When you lace up your running shoes for Lucky 7’s, you’re not just running for yourself—you’re running for change.

Julie’s message to all participants? "Thank you for supporting our work and helping provide a warm, safe home for our guests to begin rebuilding their lives."

Want to do more? St. Francis House always welcomes volunteers! Whether it’s making sack lunches, serving meals, or donating clothing and essentials, there are so many ways to make a difference beyond race day.

And the St. Francis House Hype Song? Our house is a very, very fine house! (Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, of course!)

Let’s Make an Impact Together!
March 15th is more than just a race—it’s a celebration of community, generosity, and making a real difference. Thank you for being part of this journey with us. Let’s run, have fun, and most importantly, support a cause that truly matters. See you on race day!

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